Group warns of nuclear plant’s earthquake vulnerability

BAYOMBONG, Philippines – Environmental groups said on Wednesday that the recent earthquake which hit the province of Zambales is a grim warning of what the Bataan Nuclear power Plant (BNPP) is facing. In a statement, Frances Quimpo of the Center for Environmental Concerns-Philippines (CEC) and co-convener of the No to BNPP Revival! (NO to BNPP!), said that the Tuesday morning’s earthquake near Iba, Zambales is a reminder of the hazards that await the BNPP and the community within the area. “The earthquake which registered 5.3 in the Richter scale resonate the warnings of scientists that active faults are within the range of the proposed site of nuclear power plant, said Quimpo. “These may cause surface ruptures. Let us recall that the earthquakes in 1990 and 1994 effected substantial damages to structures and properties, including people’s lives, “she added. Quimpo, members of NO to BNPP and other environmental activists who came from different parts of Luzon, were at the House of Representatives on Tuesday, to commemorate Earth Day by way of a protest rally. In the rally, Dr. Giovanni Tapang, NO to BNPP! spokesman and chairperson of scientists’ group Agham said: “It will be a huge crime against the earth and the environment if BNPP will start to operate. Our legislators in Congress should realize the grave consequence of running a defective and dangerous nuclear plant and should not be swayed by the strong influence of its proponents into making a decision of blunder." His criticisms were echoed by Ricarido Saturay Jr., geologist from Agham and co-convener of NO to BNPP by saying that “the BNPP revival is being pushed by its proponents using climate change and the promise of a clean technology as pretext. The proponents are offering false solutions to climate change and even to our energy problems." Saturay alleged that pro-nuclear lobbyists have created the impression that nuclear energy production has zero carbon emission, making it a perfect tool in combating global warming. "This is not completely true. If we include every stage of nuclear energy production, such as the mining of uranium, and the processing and transport of it, then you’ll have carbon emissions already equal to a third of what other power plants emit," he added. Anti BNPP revival lobbyists have been waging a war in the lower house against House Bill 4631 better known as "An Act Mandating the Immediate Re-Commissioning and Commercial Operation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant" which was authored by Rep. Mark Cojuangco. Believing that a nuclear plant is the answer to the worldwide energy crisis in 1973, former Philippine strongman President Ferdinand Marcos ordered the construction of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in 1976 and was completed in 1984 at a cost of $2.3 billion. The plant was never used due to structural defects that made it unfit for commercial operation. NO to BNPP Revival and other environmental groups fear that the plant which was built near major earthquake fault lines poses a clear and present danger to the environment and the people. - Floro Taguinod, GMANews.TV